Applications for January 2025 DRE Class Due December 20!

• By: VACP
• On: 11/13/2024 11:21:19
• In: Virginia News

The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program, also known as the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program, has received national acclaim for its success in identifying the drug- impaired driver. Officers trained as DREs are frequently called upon to assist with roadside incidents involving impaired drivers, and to differentiate between drug influence and medical and/or mental disorders. Their training is an extremely valuable tool in combating the adverse effects of impaired driving in Virginia. The training consists of a two-week classroom session, followed by a seven-day Field Certification week.  The training is at NO COST, rooms are provided, and meals are reimbursed up to per diem. 
 
Virginia's next DRE course will be:

• Classroom:
  January 26 to February 7, 2025
  Virginia State Police Academy
  7700 Midlothian Turnpike
  Richmond, VA 23235

• Field Certification:
  March 2 - 9, 2025
  HOPE Counseling & Consulting Services, Inc. 
  810 Akron Drive
  Winston Salem, NC 27105

The deadline for applications to attend this upcoming DRE course is December 20, 2024. Attached is a Virginia DRE training application. Please forward this application to top officers you believe would be excellent DREs. Interested officers must already be certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), and it is recommended they have successfully completed the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) training course. 
 
Along with the completed application, officers must provide:

• narratives from a minimum of two DUI arrest reports from the last 12 months
• an endorsement/recommendation letter from their Chief, Sheriff or Commander
• an endorsement/recommendation letter from their local prosecutor

Please email completed applications and the required attachments to our Virginia Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Coordinator, 1st Sgt. Matthew Okes, matthew.okes@vsp.virginia.gov

Incomplete applications or those without the required attachments will be discarded.